Dreamland

2011: the year in creativity.

Yesterday on NPR's Talk of the Nation, a caller wondered if men are more likely to write Top Ten lists than women.  Huh?  I immediately began compiling a list in my head...creative highlights of 2011 (admittedly, in no particular order):

1.  India Flint exhibit at the Katherine Nash Gallery in Minneapolis.

2.  Re-reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.  (And the many notable stitching/craft/DIY books published this year.)

3.  Learning to dye (and drape and felt and discharge).

4.  Jane Dunnewold's lecture at the SDA Conference.  You can read it here.

5.  My handwriting workshop, Love Your Letters.  I am just so glad to have finally put this together, after years of thinking about it.

6.  Spoonflower.  I've had my artwork printed on cotton, linen, knit, silk, and can't wait to show you what I'm working on in 2012.  Have you tried it yet?

7.  Pinterest.  Social media for creatives.  Finally.

8.  Cleaning out my closet.  Is this who I really want to be?

9.  Whittling down my Style Statement.

10.  Creative inspiration at the American Crafts Council show in St. Paul:  Patricia Palson, AnyaSF, killion, mary+louann.

Quite a year, and I'm sure I could add another top ten list of honorable mentions.  I would love to hear what inspired you this year!

Holiday spirit, part 2.

Holiday cards from Dinah and Teresa, two more customers I have loved working with through the years!

A to Z.

My creative habit:  Sometimes I feel stuck in a rut.  I have been hand-sewing pretty consistently for over three years now (and my guess is I won't shake that for a long time yet) but I also feel the need to keep trying completely unrelated art adventures.   My mentor has helped me shake things up a bit with dyeing and discharging and screenprinting.  And I'm waiting (sort of patiently) for a new delivery from Spoonflower so I can do some experimenting over the holidays.  I always do my best work when I have more than one iron in the fire.

Holiday spirit.

Darling photos -- on cards created for Angie, Carrie, and Karen.

Catching up. And smiling.

All week I've been missing my blog, but also knowing that it would be nearly impossible to write without whining.  It's been that kind of week.  So here are a few things that have made me smile:

*Over this holiday season, I will have made close to 400 stamps.  As I'm writing them, I can't help but imagine how the stamp will be used, how the recipient's eyes will light up.  And nothing beats seeing the husband using the stamp.  Thanks for sharing this photo, Kim (and all the way from Portugal!).

*Feedback on etsy:  Gina (lettergirl) is the best! I gave her LENGTHY and undoubtedly annoying instructions for a custom wedding stamp and she nailed it on the first try (which I then had her change a few times because I couldn't make up my mind and she was super nice about it). Would recommend (and have) to anyone!  Thank you, Maryann!

*Finishing holiday card orders for Teresa, Karen, Katie, Kris and Natalie.  Hoping to share some of those next week....

*Online shopping:

 

A to Z.

My creative habit:  In my last A to Z post, I hinted at the role intention plays in my creative pursuits.  Usually I'm ranting about the big picture, and keeping perspective, but when I am busy-busy-busy with holiday orders, the hardest thing for me is to keep my eyes on the little picture:  to remember that each person who has placed an order will (I hope) use my little creation to add a bit of beauty to their everyday world.  And so I try to channel good thoughts through my hand and into my artwork. (So much easier when I have ten orders on my plate instead of a hundred!)  It is the same when I'm stitching; hand-stitching is ideal for thinking/dreaming as you work.  (And since it is a slow process, thinking about the final result is a big motivator.)  A customer I've had for years once told me that she returns because she always has an emotional response to my work.  Is that my intention coming through?      I can't think of a better compliment.

Holiday shopping.

Print from designbirdie

Skincare by Anna Dvorak

Zipper pouch by MontclairMade

New Alabama Chanin tableware by Heath Ceramics

Log Cabin Tote by 464Handmade

A to Z.

My creative habit:  I feel a bit lost if I don't do something creative with my hands every day.  This past weekend rushed past in a blur of festivities, theatre, laundry, and errands -- one of the rare weekends when I didn't pick up a needle for even a few stitches.  A luxury for me right now is an extra fifteen minutes in bed in the early morning, pondering, getting my ducks in a row for when I do have time for my own projects.  And while I'm thinking of my personal projects, I don't take for granted that my daily work is creative work. It's just a different effort at this time of year: I have to be vigilant not to allow all the orders to become like an assembly line. I work at being conscious of adding my bit of beauty to the world, with each holiday card I design, each address I write.  But that's another creative habit altogether!

Hello Washington!

In today's Washington Post.